Sweet Potato Apple Cake (Printer-Friendly Version)

Moist cake combining mashed sweet potatoes, grated apples, and warm spices for a comforting autumn treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake

01 - 2 medium sweet potatoes, cooked, mashed (about 1½ cups mashed)
02 - 2 medium Gala apples, peeled, cored, grated
03 - 1½ cups all-purpose flour
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
06 - ½ teaspoon salt
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
10 - ½ cup vegetable oil
11 - 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
12 - 2 large eggs
13 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Optional Glaze

14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
15 - 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Wash, peel, and cook sweet potatoes until tender by boiling for 20–30 minutes or roasting at 400°F for about 45 minutes. Mash while warm until smooth, measuring 1½ cups.
02 - Peel, core, and grate Gala apples finely but with some texture. Lightly squeeze to remove excess moisture, preserving enough juice for flavor.
03 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in a large bowl to ensure even spice distribution.
04 - Beat vegetable oil, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl until smooth. Stir in mashed sweet potatoes, then gently fold in grated apples.
05 - Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until no flour streaks remain, avoiding overmixing to maintain a tender crumb.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into greased and floured 9-inch cake pan. Smooth surface and bake for 35–40 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
07 - Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to wire rack. For glaze, whisk melted butter and brown sugar; brush over warm cake for a glossy caramel finish.

# Additional Tips:

01 - To achieve a fluffy texture, fold ingredients just until combined to prevent gluten development.
02 - Roasting sweet potatoes enhances caramelized flavor compared to boiling.
03 - Lightly squeezing grated apples balances moisture for optimal crumb texture.
04 - Test cake doneness with a toothpick; a few moist crumbs indicate perfectly baked cake.
05 - Add ½ cup toasted nuts or dried fruit to enhance texture and flavor.

Go Back